Apple will soon allow hardware developers to manufacture Made for iPhone (MFi) certified USB-C to Lightning cables, reports Japanese site Mac Otakara. Apple is said to have recently informed developers who participate in the MFi program about the change.

Right now, there are no Apple-approved USB-C to Lightning cables available for purchase, which means customers who want a USB-C to Lightning cable must purchase one directly from Apple for $19. With the new MFi update, third-party hardware manufacturers will be able to create USB-C to Lightning cables.

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These cables are necessary for fast charging the iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and Apple's upcoming 2018 iPhones when paired with an 18W+ power adapter.

Rumors have suggested that Apple is planning to ship its 2018 iPhones with an upgraded power adapter and a USB-C to Lightning cable, enabling fast charging right out of the box with no need to make an additional purchase.

The approval of Made for iPhone USB-C to Lightning cables indicates that this rumor could be true, with Apple and third-party manufacturers starting to make a shift from standard USB-A Lightning cables to the new fast charge compatible USB-C version.

According to Mac Otakara, developers who want to manufacture a Lightning to USB-C cable will need to use a new C94 Lightning connector provided by Apple, which offers a maximum of 15W of charging with a non-fast charging compatible power adapter and 18W with a compatible power adapter.

Apple has also upgraded its other Lightning connectors, charging about 50 cents more for the new technology.

Apple will soon allow hardware developers to manufacture Made for iPhone (MFi) certified USB-C to Lightning cables, reports Japanese site Mac Otakara. Apple is said to have recently informed developers who participate in the MFi program about the change.

Right now, there are no Apple-approved USB-C to Lightning cables available for purchase, which means customers who want a USB-C to Lightning cable must purchase one directly from Apple for $19. With the new MFi update, third-party hardware manufacturers will be able to create USB-C to Lightning cables.

​

These cables are necessary for fast charging the iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and Apple's upcoming 2018 iPhones when paired with an 18W+ power adapter.

Rumors have suggested that Apple is planning to ship its 2018 iPhones with an upgraded power adapter and a USB-C to Lightning cable, enabling fast charging right out of the box with no need to make an additional purchase.

The approval of Made for iPhone USB-C to Lightning cables indicates that this rumor could be true, with Apple and third-party manufacturers starting to make a shift from standard USB-A Lightning cables to the new fast charge compatible USB-C version.

According to Mac Otakara, developers who want to manufacture a Lightning to USB-C cable will need to use a new C94 Lightning connector provided by Apple, which offers a maximum of 15W of charging with a non-fast charging compatible power adapter and 18W with a compatible power adapter.

Apple has also upgraded its other Lightning connectors, charging about 50 cents more for the new technology.Mac Otakara expects the first third-party USB-C to Lightning cables to start appearing in mid-2019.

1. Apple has no plans to ditch Lightning, and are just widening their earning options.
or
2. Apple is finally shifting to USB-C, and now allows MFI USB-C to Lightning cables to be produced, to earn a little extra for the millions of Lightning models still in the market.

So, it's estimated to take ~9 months (till mid-2019) for 3rd parties to release these cables, even though they get the "golden" Lightning connector direct from Apple? Are these new cables each hand soldered or something? Gold plated? If you have the Apple Lightning connector in hand, all that's left is a USB-C connector and some wire, for crying out load!

So, it's estimated to take ~9 months (till mid-2019) for 3rd parties to release these cables, even though they get the "golden" Lightning connector direct from Apple? Are these new cables each hand soldered or something? Gold plated? If you have the Apple Lightning connector in hand, all that's left is a USB-C connector and some wire, for crying out load!

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Likely they have to wait for Apple to nail the MFI specs for these cables, then create the cables, then ship them to Apple for inspection, then wait for Apple to affirm them to be of proper quality, then wait for Apple to verify that their production capabilities can maintain the quality level, and then be produced in large amounts, and then shipped to stores. And I assume Apple is not fast in these matters, since they are in no rush to loose out in sales with their premium stuff.

So, it's estimated to take ~9 months (till mid-2019) for 3rd parties to release these cables, even though they get the "golden" Lightning connector direct from Apple? Are these new cables each hand soldered or something? Gold plated? If you have the Apple Lightning connector in hand, all that's left is a USB-C connector and some wire, for crying out load!

iPods came with carrier clips, MacBooks came with extended power cable adapters and the iPhone came with stereo headset w/ mic, dock, dock connector, usb 2.0 cable and usb power adapter along with 2 stickers and a cleaning cloth.

I just think Apple is going to do the bare minimum and let customers buy the accessories they need.

Did they wait so long because of USB-C spec, or did they wait so long so they could exclusively milk the USB-C to lightning MSRP and reap the benefits directly, until they no longer could and it now
Makes financial sense to get $ where they can ie licensing out the cables

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